Mystery Blue
Metal Slaves

October 2003
Released: 2003, Roadshow
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: JP

In January of 2003 I made a few comments on a three-song EP from Mystery blue. I’m very pleased to be able to share with you some thoughts on their new 4th full-length CD.

Signed to Roadshow Productions, this long-standing veteran French band is poised to make their move from indie status into the realm of world-calibre metal.



Metal Slaves is a eleven track slab of traditional European metal. This effort unlike the EP was mostly self-produced and fortunately there was not a drop in quality in terms of sound. The presentation is adequate if a tiny bit plain. The package has lyrics and a few photos but the cover is plain and could use a some work. It is a decent band photo but the back cover would have been more in line with the title.



‘Metal Slaves’ lyrically and sonically carries the flag of traditional heavy metal. There is very little that could be deemed extremely new, original or groundbreaking in terms of song arrangements, construction or individual performance but in this instance the passion and flair with which this conventional style is delivered makes up for any perceived shortcomings. Having said that you don’t hear a didgeridoo on metal albums very often!



My favorite cut is easily ‘Metal Dream’ anthemic and powerful with a catchy chorus. Vocalist Natalie Geyer shows her vocal talents on the cut ‘Angel’ hitting some insane notes in a convincing performance. She deliverers the lyrics with passion on each song and I could forget that there were at times issues with translation as some of the phrases did not flow as freely as they might have from someone whose native tongue is English.



Having been around for years and played with such bands as Saxon, Motorhead and Def Leppard in the early days these veterans have a good command of their instruments without being too showy. I might have perhaps like a little more shredding in the solos.

Fans of classic, traditional heavy metal will certainly want to checkout Mystery Blue.